Contents

Ancestry

"So far as is known was the first of the name in America. Little has been learned of his early life. The records show that he came from London, England, and settled in Barnstable, Mass., in the spring of 1639. Records exist from which traces of him have been discovered. The late David Hamblen, Esq., of Boston, the first to investigate the family history, about 1849, caused research to be made in England for his ancestry, and discovered records which may relate to him and his ancestors...

...It is understood that he was brother of Thomas, gentleman of London, living in 1623; sons of Giles, of Devonshire; son of John, of Cornwall, England, who was living in 1570.

This is not regarded by the writer as conclusive proof of his pedigree, but a suggestion where to search for further evidence of it."

David Hamblen was of the opinion that James Hamblin and his wife Anne, were both born in London. They were members of the church in Barnstable at the settlement of Mt. Jonathan Russell, 1683.

He died Barnstable, 1690. His personal estate was appraised at 19.17.3 Pounds. He was probably over eighty years old, and had probably distributed some of his personal estate before his death, as indicated in the will.

Plymouth records

The name of James Hamblen appears frequently in the records of Plymouth Colony. The first mention is: "March 1, 1741-2, [hkb: 1641-2?] James Hamblen was propounded for Freeman.

"At the Genrall Court of our Souraigne Lord, Charles, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, Ireland, Defender of the Fayth, &c, holden at Plym aforesd the VIJth of March, in the XVIJth yeare of his Ma'ts now Raigne, &c.

"Before Willm Bradford, gent. Gou. (and other members of the court named) James Hamlen (was appointed) Constable for Barnstable."

List of Freemen in Barnstable in 1643, taken from Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 8, 176-7. Those marked * have been erased on the original record.

Baptism practice

Mr. Lothrop taught that Baptism was an ordinance of primary importance, and published a work on the subject, urging that the parent, being a member of the church, who unnecessarily delayed the performance of this service, thereby periled the salvation of the child. The practice in Mr. Lothrop's church was to baptize children on the Sabbath next following their birth. Instances are given of children born on Sabbath morning, and carried two miles the same day at an inclement season of the year to be baptized.

It would seem that James Hamblen conformed to this custom. It will be observed that his three youngest children were baptized on the day of birth.

Character

Mr. Otis says: "He was never dignified with the title of ‘Mr." and was, all his life, called "Goodman." Speaking of this custom, he says, "In the Plymouth Colony, the Governor, deputy governor, the magistrates, and assistants, the ministers of the gospel, elders of the church, school masters, officers to the militia, men of great wealth or connected with gentry or nobility, alone were entitled to be called Mister, and their wives, Mistress; this rule was rigidly enforced in earlier colonial times; and in all lists of names, it was almost the invariable custom to commence with those that stood highest in rank, and follow that order to the end."

"Goodman Hamblen was not much in public life. He was an honest man, a good neighbor and a sincere Christian; he was industrious and prudent in his habits and brought up his children to walk in his footsteps. His descendants have, with few exceptions, inherited the good qualities of the ancestor."

Andrews, H. Franklin. A Genealogy of JAMES HAMLIN of Barnstable Massachusetts, eldest son of James Hamlin, the immigrant, who came from London, England, and settled in Barnstable, 1639. Exira, Iowa, 1902

Links

I being weake in body but throu ye mercy of God of good and disposing mind and memory, and calling to mind ye uncertainty of this transitory life, and being willing to sett things in order as there may be peace and good agreement between my children after my decease, I do make and delare this my last will and testament in the manner and forme hereafter mentioned viz:

Imprimis: I will and bequeath my soul to God who gave it through Jesus Christ, my deare and only Saviour and Redeemer and my body to decent burial as to my Executrix hereafter names shall seeme meete and convenient; and as for my outward estate which God hath been pleased to lend me, my will is that all my debts which are in right or conscience due to any person shall be first duly satisfied and contented. And then my will is that Anne, my loving wife shall have and enjoy all the rest of my estate in whatsoever it be during her natural live for her supporte and livelyhood, and my will is that after her decease in as much as my son James hath had ten pounds already of me, and my son Bartholemew five pounds, and my daughter Hannah, five pounds (according to ye desire of my mother) so my will is that ye rest of my children shall have each of them five pounds apeace made up to them out of my estate, viz: to my son John five pounds my little feather bed bolster and rugg belonging to it, to be in part or whole thereof as it shall be appraised; and to my daughter Sarah five pounds in ye great feather be I lye on with ye bolster and rugg belonging thereunto as it shall be appraised; And to my son Eliazer four pounds and five shillings out of my estate which with ye fifteen shillings he owes me on account makes up five pounds to him, And to my son Israel three pounds and eighteen shillings to make up ye bed and coverlett he hath five pounds to him.

Item. My will is that my daughter Sarah shall have two of my platters which she shall chuse. And my will is that Israel shall have one of my pewter platters as my sons and daughter already married have had each of them one. And my will is that whatsoever of my estate shall remaine after my foresd legacies shall be paid, shall after my wife's decease be equally divided amongst all my children unless my wife shall see cause to will any part or parts unto any of my sd children as shee shall see fit to those that are most dutyful unto her, unto whose liberty my will is it shall be left.

As also to nominate an executor to take place after he decease to see this my last will performed, And here in case shee make any will to dispose of ye overplus as aforsd.

Item. It is my will that Anne my wife be sole Executrix of this my last will and testament so long as shee lives.

In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this 23 of January of Anne Dom' 1683.

JAMES HAMLIN [seal.]

In presence ofTHOS. HINCKLEY, Gov.JONATHAN RUSSELL.

Gove. Hinckley and Jonathan Russell, witnesses to this will had oath in court Octover ye 22th 1690, that they saw ye above sd James Hamlin, deceased, signe seal and declare this to be his last will and testament as attest.